October 7-8, 2026, the Professional Training Centre, in cooperation with the Estonian School of Diplomacy, delivered a two-day online course entitled “Terrorism and Hybrid Warfare: Current Issues in International Security.”

The course was delivered by Tomas Jermalavičius, an expert at the International Centre for Defence and Security (ICDS).

Over the two days, participants examined terrorism and hybrid warfare from both historical and contemporary perspectives, as well as their place within the broader conceptual framework of insurgency and counter-insurgency. Particular attention was given to the nature, drivers and dynamics of various forms of terrorism and hybrid warfare, their manifestations in Europe and the EU’s neighbouring regions, and the growing overlap between these types of threats. Participants also analysed contemporary strategies targeting European states, particularly those employed by Russia. In this context, they explored the sources, nature and characteristics of current threats to European security, as well as approaches to identifying, assessing and deterring them.

The course programme comprised four thematic modules. The first focused on the theoretical foundations of insurgency and counter-insurgency. The subsequent modules examined the strategic logic of terrorism and hybrid warfare, including the use of violence, destabilisation, communication and coercion as means of achieving political and strategic objectives. Particular emphasis was placed on the political, societal, economic and technological factors that can facilitate the emergence and spread of terrorist and hybrid threats. Participants also discussed key dilemmas, strategic principles and instruments for countering such challenges.

The concluding part of the course focused on the role of the European Union in countering terrorism and hybrid warfare, as well as the approaches adopted by international organisations, governments and contemporary societies in responding to these security challenges.